Houseplants Through the Decades: A Greenhouse Walk Through Time
Blog Authored by Garden Experts Mackenzie & Kyle
Step back in time with us as we explore how houseplants have shaped every major design trend, from the elegance of the 1920s parlor palm to the bold Monstera moments of the Instagram era.
On November 23 at 1 PM, our Garden Experts will be hosting a special Houseplants Through the Decades Walk About at both Berns Garden Center locations. If you enjoy houseplants, Ohio gardening, interior design, or simply learning how styles evolve, this is an experience you will not want to miss.
The 1920's and 1930's: Elegant Parlors and Polished Greenery
Imagine the Roaring Twenties. Jazz on the radio, Art Deco design, and a formal parlor where guests gathered. This is where houseplants made their debut as symbols of refinement. Parlor Palms, Peace Lilies, Ivy, Pothos, and Ferns filled homes with soft green texture.
These plants thrived in low light and cooler rooms, which made them perfect for the time. Peace Lilies were even seen as symbols of purity and prosperity. One fun tidbit from this era: Peace Lilies are not actually lilies. They belong to the same plant family as philodendrons. And if you picture someone doing the Charleston around a fern, that absolutely happened.
The 1940's and 1950's: Resilient Plants for a Resilient Time
As families rebuilt after the war, indoor plants became everyday companions. Homes were busier, routines were changing, and durable plants were essential. Snake Plants, Rubber Trees, African Violets, Christmas Cactus, and hardy desert cacti became favorites. The Snake Plant stood out for being nearly impossible to kill.
African Violets spread in popularity because they were one of the first flowering houseplants available to the average home. Rubber Trees paired beautifully with the clean lines of midcentury design.
Years later, NASA confirmed what plant lovers already knew: Snake Plants really do help clean indoor air. They were practical, beautiful, and perfect for the moment.
The 1960's and 1970's: The Groovy Green Revolution
Homes became cozier, earthier, and greener. Lava lamps glowed, macramé hung in windows, and plants turned every room into a personal sanctuary. Spider Plants, Hoyas, Jade Plants, Split Leaf Philodendrons, and Fiddle Leaf Figs became icons of the era. Philodendrons brought bold tropical energy into living rooms. Many homes embraced the indoor jungle look, complete with wood paneling, shag rugs, and a Monstera leaf large enough to make a statement. Spider Plants fit perfectly with hanging baskets, and people loved sharing plant babies. Jade Plants became symbols of good fortune.
The 1980's and 1990's: Bright Colors and Bold Plants
This era celebrated contrast, shine, and personality. Furniture was colorful, patterns were dramatic, and plants followed the trend. Anthurium, ZZ Plant, Aglaonema, Dracaena, and Monstera deliciosa all thrived during this time. Anthurium matched the glossy fashion of the era. Aglaonema and Dracaena became office staples because they tolerate low light. The ZZ Plant gained popularity for its almost indestructible nature. Monstera delighted plant lovers with its unique leaf cuts and its fruit that tastes like a blend of banana and pineapple. If a room in this era had bold color, lacquered furniture, or anything neon, it likely had one of these plants too.
Y2K to the Present: The Internet Era and the Rise of Plant Parenthood
Minimalism, Scandinavian design, and online community culture created a new age of plant enthusiasm. The early two thousands brought a love for compact sculptural plants like succulents, air plants, and Pilea. The twenty tens and twenty twenties launched the variegated craze. Pink Princess Philodendron, Thai Constellation Monstera, and rare patterned varieties became instant collector favorites. Plants became lifestyle pieces. People gave them names, photographed them, and built entire social media pages around them. As decorating trends shifted from simple to expressive, houseplants stayed at the center of it all.
Your Invitation to a Free Afternoon in the Greenhouse
The Walk About will bring this plant history to life. You will see how each trend shaped real homes, explore plants you may have never owned before, and learn why we always return to the same reliable classics. Most of all, you will get an afternoon in the greenhouse surrounded by stories, nostalgia, and the plants that defined every era.
Sunday, November 23 Garden Experts Kenzie and Kyle will guide the Walk About in Beavercreek, and Apryl will host in Middletown. Each location will take you through a curated journey of plant icons, design moments, and the cultural shifts that made these houseplants famous. The Walk About begins at 1:00 pm. Attendee will receive 20% off one houseplant as our thank you for spending the afternoon with us.
Come discover your decade. Come learn something new. Come enjoy the greenhouse in a way you never have before.